Deed of Gift (Anderson/Anderson)

On February 17, 1818, William Anderson, planter of Liberty County, gifted to “my worthy and much esteemed friends Joseph Jones and William Cooper, in trust for Elizabeth Anderson, a young woman of color, and for her issue, my two certain negro slaves, named Fortune and Frank, fifty head of stock cattle, and the sum of eight hundred dollars lawfull money of the said state, which said sum of eight hundred dollars is to be applied to the purpose of purchasing slaves for the use of the said Elizabeth Anderson and her issue. The trustees afforesaid [sic] are hereby authorized by and with the consent of the said Elizabeth Anderson to sell and exchange any part of the property above mentioned, or any part of the property that may in future be purchased or obtained for the said Elizabeth Anderson and her issue. To have and to hold the above granted premises, with the issue and increase of the females, unto the said Joseph Jones and William Cooper in trust, as aforesaid, for the only proper use and behoof of the said Elizabeth Anderson and her issue, and for no other use, intent or purpose whatsoever.” Witnessed by R.C. McConnell. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on May 22, 1820. 

Directly after the above deed was a second one dated the same day. William Foster, Liberty County, entered into a marriage contract specifying that he was intending to marry “Elizabeth Anderson, a young woman of color.” He named William Anderson, Joseph Jones, and William Cooper as her trustees, and stated that “for the purpose of securing a maintenance, provision and support for the said Elizabeth Anderson in case of casualty and for other good lawfull and honorable purposes” he had delivered to the three trustees “all the property now of right belonging to the said Elizabeth Anderson, consisting of two negroe slaves, name Frank and Fortune, fifty head of stock cattle, and eight hundred dollars in cash.” He added that it was understood among the parties that this property and any property the trustees might purchase for her in the future would be for the joint use of William Foster and Elizabeth Anderson, during her natural life and at her death to her heirs. Witnessed by R.C. McConnell, John McGowen, John Stewart, J.P., and signed by Wm. [William] Foster and Wm. Anderson. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on May 25, 1820.